The Arcata City Council will meet on Wednesday to reintroduce an ordinance that would ban single-use plastic bags at most businesses within city limits after making substantial changes to the document based on feedback from retailers, city officials said.

The proposed ordinance was modified to exempt bags smaller than 625 cubic inches from a 10-cent charge, delay the implementation of the fee until 2015 to allow for a positive reusable bag campaign and make gift bags or paper bags that are donated to a store exempt, Environmental Services Deputy Director Karen Diemer said.

According to staff reports, the use of plastic bags would be prohibited at supermarkets, pharmacies, retail businesses and convenience food stores. Produce, meat, bulk food and bags provided for prescription medications would be exempt.

A paper bag made of at least 40 percent post-consumer recyclable materials would be offered for 10 cents, and the money would be kept by the retailer. Participants in the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program would be given a paper bag at no cost.

Many local retailers wrote they are opposed to the ordinance in emails to city staff because they disagree with the paper bag fee, or are afraid customers may take their business elsewhere.

"The bag ordinance is terrific in most aspects with the exception for our store being that we would have to (forced by ordinance) charge a dime per bag if people want/need for their groceries and that we'd keep the money," Wildberries Marketplace General Manager Aaron Gottschalk wrote. "We are strongly opposed to this and strongly desire that we are able to create our own policies in this regard, or not."

Humboldt Clothing Company CEO Angel Young wrote that it would be a negative way to end a positive transaction.

" We work hard to get sales from our customers, and want them to leave with a positive feeling about our company," she wrote.

Bloom Salon owner Jacki Pagano wrote that most of her customers already decline a bag when offered one.

"We live in a community with very savvy consumers," Pagano wrote. "They are already aware of the issue, and make smart, eco-friendly choices."

If adopted by the council, the ordinance would take effect on Feb. 1, 2014, but the 10-cent fee would not be mandatory until Feb. 1, 2015.